15:00 Newbury

Saturday 22 July 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

bet365 Hackwood Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 1m 12.57s

(5)

Annaf¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: K Stott| T: M Appleby| OR: 109| D

8/1

Smart performer on the AW, completing hat-trick in listed company at Lingfield in February. Ran his best race on turf when third in King's Stand at Royal Ascot and wasn't seen to best effect at Sandown last time. Merits consideration.

Form: 134834

(8)

Commanche Falls^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 112| D

4/1

Made the frame in a couple of Group 3's this term before getting back on scoreboard in 10-runner listed race at the Curragh (6f, good to firm) 20 days ago. Holds strong claims.

Form: 5-72331

(11)

Diligent Harry¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: C G Cox| OR: 107| D

18/1

Dual winner over this trip on AW this year and wasn't disgraced upped to Group company at Sandown latest. Something to find on form with principals, though.

Form: 191647

(6)

Ehraz^b1¹¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 105| D

9/1

Smart sprinter who kept good company last year, notably finishing sixth of 20 in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Conditions possibly against him when third on return at Doncaster (6f, heavy) in April and better expected here. Blinkers on first time.

Form: 32691-3

(3)

Mitbaahy³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 106| C

12/1

Big improver last season, his third win coming in Group 3 at this course (5f) in September. Not been in quite same form so far this term but looks worth another crack at this trip after staying on late in KIngs Stand last time.

Form: 2018-58

(9)

Rohaan⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: P D Evans| OR: 108| D

5/1

Won twice over this trip at Ascot last term and turned in his best effort of this campaign when a staying-on seventh of 15 in handicap at same course (5f, soft) a week ago. Posted good fourth in this contest last year and likely to make presence felt again.

Form: 314-807

(12)

Cold Case⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 108| D

7/1

Smart colt who enhanced a fine strike rate when scoring at Ascot on his return in May. However, proved very disappointing at Haydock next time and takes on stiffer opposition now.

Form: 2311-15

(2)

Rumstar²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 109| D

7/1

Progressive 2-y-o sprinter, signing off with victory in the Cornwallis at Newmarket. Improved on that form when 2¼ lengths fifth of 13 in Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm) latest and could be a player here.

Form: 4141-65

(7)

Shartash⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 109| D

9/1

Returned to form when creditable fifth of 15 in Lacken Stakes at Naas (5.9f, good to firm, 10/1) in May but needs to find improvement to add to his juvenile victories in this comoany.

Form: 1334-45

(4)

Shouldvebeenaring¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 110| D

17/2

Five-time winner who upped his game when second in Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock in May. Not been in same form since, however, and looks up against it here.

Form: 231275

Non-Runners

(10)

Garrus²³

Weight: 9-12| Age: 7

T: C Hills J: W Buick

(1)

Lezoo²⁹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: R M Beckett J: L Dettori

Forecasts

Commanche Falls (4/1), Lezoo (4/1), Rohaan (5/1), Cold Case (7/1), Rumstar (7/1), Annaf (8/1), Garrus (8/1), Shouldvebeenaring (17/2), Shartash (9/1), Ehraz (9/1), Mitbaahy (12/1), Diligent Harry (18/1)

Preference is for COMMANCHE FALLS, who boasts strong form credentials and arrives on the back of a confidence-boosting victory at the Curragh. Annaf and Rohaan head the list of dangers in a highly competitive renewal of this Group 3 contest.